65 Travel Tips for First-Time Travelers

Here are over 60 travel tips to help you explore without fearing unpleasant surprises.

1. Stay in touch with friends and family back home.
2. Don’t pinch pennies too hard. If you want to do something, go for it! Travel is about new experiences and places, not just saving money.
3. Support local businesses and avoid restaurant and hotel chains.
4. Respect local customs. Remember, you’re a guest in someone else’s country.
5. Everyone gets scammed at least once. Just learn from it and try not to let it happen again.
6. Apply for a credit/debit card with no foreign transaction fees.
7. You’ll make many mistakes – even seasoned travelers do. Nobody’s perfect.
8. Learn at least a few basic phrases of the local language. “Please”, “thank you”, and “hello” always go a long way.
9. Not every day will be amazing. Don’t let a bad experience ruin your entire trip.
10. Prepare for culture shock.
11. Always carry toilet paper.
12. Avoid traveling with your most valuable possessions.
13. Guidebooks are helpful, but don’t rely on them for everything.
14. Pack half of what you think you’ll need.
15. Be cautious but don’t be paranoid.
16. Get used to classic backpacker questions: “Where are you from?”, “How long have you been traveling?”, and “What’s your favorite country?” They’re great ice breakers and you’ll hear them a lot.
17. Always hide some cash away for emergencies.
18. Make sure you know the visa requirements for your destination BEFORE you arrive.
19. Rainy season doesn’t mean it rains 24/7. It’s often the best time to visit: fewer tourists and lower prices.
20. Feeling homesick is normal. It comes and goes.
21. Try local street food.
22. Make a digital copy of your passport before you leave and carry a paper copy with you.
23. Getting lost is part of the adventure! You’ll find your way eventually.
24. A smile goes a long way, wherever you are.
25. Travel slowly for a richer experience and to avoid burnout.
26. Add some physical activity to your travel days. You only have one body – look after it.
27. Whether it’s multivitamins or protein powder, supplements can help cover vitamins and minerals you might miss while traveling, so consider packing some.
28. Venture beyond the typical places in guidebooks.
29. Have fun and enjoy yourself, but don’t overdo it.
30. Keep an open mind and try things you’ve never done before.
31. Know your alcohol limits.
32. Brush your teeth with bottled water.
33. Remember that buses and trains aren’t always on time. Relax—it’s all part of the journey.
34. Interact with locals—there’s always something new to learn.
35. If you haven’t yet, give Couchsurfing a try.

36. Don’t expect places to look like their photos. Those Instagram shots are often edited and filtered.
37. Travel responsibly and leave places better than you found them.
38. Read “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.
39. Negotiate but don’t get hung up on a few cents. Vendors may need them more than you.
40. Always count your change!
41. The best travel tips often come from locals or fellow backpackers.
42. Carrying over 12 kg on your back is heavy and unnecessary. A 30–45 liter travel backpack is more than enough.
43. Invest in a high-quality backpack before you leave home.
44. Buy fruits and vegetables at local markets, not supermarket chains.
45. A bit of planning is good, but too much will set you up for disappointment. Go with the flow and enjoy!
46. ​​Avoid packing white clothes. They won’t stay white for long.
47. Bring more cash than you think you’ll need.
48. Unlearn stereotypes about other countries and share the truth.
49. Travel the way you want, not the way others say you should.
50. Leave your shyness at home and start conversations. Remember, others are travelers too.
51. There’s nothing wrong with using protection or managing birth control. Better safe than sorry!
52. Earplugs are one of your best travel investments—even if you sleep well.
53. Reverse culture shock is real.
54. Use public transport.
55. Everyone gets food poisoning at least once on their travels.
56. Disconnect from technology sometimes and truly connect to your surroundings.
57. Weed and other drugs are easy to find in many backpacker hotspots, but legality varies and some countries impose very harsh penalties.
58. Get travel insurance. It could save you from financial disaster.
59. Don’t set big expectations for places. These often lead to big disappointments and stress.
60. Bring more than one debit/credit card.
61. Get an international driver’s license. You never know.
62. Find creative ways to save money on the road.
63. Expect things to be different from home—that’s the point of traveling!
64. Most importantly: be free and enjoy yourself!
65. Do you have other travel tips you’d like to share?